Psalm 3:1
New International Version
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom. LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!

New Living Translation
O LORD, I have so many enemies; so many are against me.

English Standard Version
O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;

Berean Standard Bible
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me!

King James Bible
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

New King James Version
A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.

New American Standard Bible
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. LORD, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising up against me.

NASB 1995
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me.

NASB 1977
O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me.

Legacy Standard Bible
A Psalm of David. When he fled from Absalom his son. O Yahweh, how my adversaries have become many! Many are rising up against me.

Amplified Bible
A Psalm of David. When he fled from Absalom his son. O LORD, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising up against me.

Christian Standard Bible
A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom. † LORD, how my foes increase! There are many who attack me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom. LORD, how my foes increase! There are many who attack me.

American Standard Version
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. Jehovah, how are mine adversaries increased! Many are they that rise up against me.

Contemporary English Version
I have a lot of enemies, LORD. Many fight against

English Revised Version
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are mine adversaries increased! many are they that rise up against me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[A psalm by David when he fled from his son Absalom.] O LORD, look how my enemies have increased! Many are attacking me.

Good News Translation
I have so many enemies, LORD, so many who turn against me!

International Standard Version
LORD, I have so many persecutors! Many are rising up against me!

Majority Standard Bible
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me!

NET Bible
A psalm of David, written when he fled from his son Absalom. LORD, how numerous are my enemies! Many attack me.

New Heart English Bible
[A Psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom his son.] LORD, how my adversaries have increased. Many rise up against me.

Webster's Bible Translation
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they multiplied that trouble me? many are they that rise up against me.

World English Bible
A Psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom his son. Yahweh, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A PSALM OF DAVID, IN HIS FLEEING FROM THE FACE OF HIS SON ABSALOM. YHWH, how my distresses have multiplied! Many are rising up against me.

Young's Literal Translation
A Psalm of David, in his fleeing from the face of Absalom his son. Jehovah, how have my distresses multiplied! Many are rising up against me.

Smith's Literal Translation
The original Julia E. Smith Bible records the following as a verse reference for Ps 3:1-2Chanting of David in his fleeing from the face of Absalom his son. Jehovah, how they pressing upon me were multiplied! many rising up against me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The psalm of David when he fled from the face of his son Absalom. Why, O Lord, are they multiplied that afflict me? many are they who rise up against me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A Psalm of David. When he fled from the face of his son, Absalom. Lord, why have those who trouble me been multiplied? Many rise up against me.

New American Bible
A psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. [2] How many are my foes, LORD! How many rise against me!

New Revised Standard Version
O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
O LORD, how my oppressors are increased! Many are they that rise up against me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH, how my oppressors have increased! Many have risen up against me!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how many are mine adversaries become! Many are they that rise up against me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A Psalm of David, when he fled from the presence of his son Abessalom. O Lord, why are they that afflict me multiplied? many rise up against me.
Audio Bible



Context
Deliver Me, O LORD!
1A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! 2Many say of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah…

Cross References
2 Samuel 15:12-14
While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing. / Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” / And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

2 Samuel 16:7-8
And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! / The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!”

2 Samuel 17:1-4
Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. / I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king / and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.” ...

2 Samuel 18:6-8
So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. / There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men. / The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword.

2 Samuel 18:31-33
Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: Today the LORD has avenged you of all who rose up against you!” / The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And the Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you to harm you be like that young man.” / The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Psalm 25:19
Consider my enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with vicious hatred.

Psalm 38:19
Many are my enemies without cause, and many hate me without reason.

Psalm 41:5-9
My enemies say with malice: “When will he die and be forgotten?” / My visitor speaks falsehood; he gathers slander in his heart; he goes out and spreads it abroad. / All who hate me whisper against me; they imagine the worst for me: ...

Psalm 55:12-14
For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

Psalm 69:4
Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.

Psalm 109:3-5
They surround me with hateful words and attack me without cause. / In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. / They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

Matthew 26:47-50
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. ...

Matthew 27:20-23
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death. / “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they replied. / “What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!” ...

Mark 14:43-46
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him. ...

Luke 22:47-48
While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. / But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”


Treasury of Scripture

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

when

2 Samuel 15:1-18:33
And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him…

how

2 Samuel 15:12
And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counseller, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

2 Samuel 16:15
And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

2 Samuel 17:11-13
Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person…

many

Psalm 17:7
Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

Matthew 10:21
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

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Psalm 3
1. The security of God's protection














O LORD
The term "LORD" in this context is translated from the Hebrew "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, often vocalized as "Yahweh." This name signifies God's eternal existence and His covenantal relationship with His people. In the context of Psalm 3, David is invoking the personal and covenant-keeping God, emphasizing a deep, personal relationship and trust in the midst of adversity. This invocation sets the tone for the entire psalm, highlighting the psalmist's reliance on God as his ultimate protector and deliverer.

how my foes have increased
The Hebrew word for "foes" is "tsarar," which can mean adversaries or enemies. The phrase reflects a situation of escalating conflict and danger. Historically, this psalm is attributed to David during the time of Absalom's rebellion, a period when David faced not only external enemies but also betrayal from within his own family. The increase in foes signifies a growing threat, both numerically and in intensity, underscoring the gravity of David's predicament. This serves as a reminder of the trials believers may face, yet also points to the faithfulness of God amidst overwhelming odds.

How many rise up against me
The repetition of "how" emphasizes the magnitude of the opposition. The Hebrew verb "qum," translated as "rise up," conveys the idea of enemies actively positioning themselves against David. This is not a passive threat but an active rebellion. In the historical context of David's life, this rising up was not just a personal attack but a challenge to his God-given authority as king. Spiritually, this can be seen as a metaphor for the various challenges and spiritual battles believers encounter. It serves as a call to recognize the reality of opposition in the Christian life, while also trusting in God's sovereignty and deliverance.

(1) How . . . many.--"And Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem" (2Samuel 16:15). Ahithophel counsels Absalom to take 12,000 men, and go in instant pursuit of the fugitive. Hushar's advice shows, of course, the exaggeration of flattery: "Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Bcersheba, as the sand which is by the sea for multitude."

Verse 1. - Lord, how are they increased that trouble me: rather, Lord. how numerous are they that trouble me! We arc told, in the Book of Samuel, that "the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom (2 Samuel 15:12), and again, "Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him" (2 Samuel 16:15). Ahithophel proposed to attack David with twelve thousand men only (2 Samuel 17:1), but the actual number which went against him must have been far larger, for some twenty thousand men, chiefly, no doubt, Absalom's partisans, fell in the battle (2 Samuel 18:7). Many are they that rise up against me; i.e. "that rebel against me, and rise up in arras to make war upon me" (comp. Psalm 18:48; Psalm 44:5; Psalm 59:1, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A Psalm
מִזְמ֥וֹר (miz·mō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4210: Instrumental music, a poem set to notes

of David,
לְדָוִ֑ד (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

when he fled
בְּ֝בָרְח֗וֹ (bə·ḇā·rə·ḥōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1272: To bolt, to flee suddenly

from
מִפְּנֵ֤י ׀ (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

his son
בְּנֽוֹ׃ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Absalom.
אַבְשָׁל֬וֹם (’aḇ·šā·lō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites

O LORD,
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

how
מָֽה־ (māh-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

my foes
צָרָ֑י (ṣā·rāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent

have increased!
רַבּ֣וּ (rab·bū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7231: To cast together, increase, in number, to multiply by the myriad

How many
רַ֝בִּ֗ים (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

rise up
קָמִ֥ים (qā·mîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

against me!
עָלָֽי׃ (‘ā·lāy)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Poetry: Psalm 3:1 A Psalm by David when he fled (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 2:12
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